A Family Guide to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Spring has officially sprung in the Pacific Northwest – and it’s come a little early this year. That can only mean one thing: tulip season is here. Consider this your sign to make a trip to Skagit Valley.

Every April, our family piles into the car and makes the little more than an hour-long drive north from Seattle to the colorful fields of Mount Vernon for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. It’s a tradition we look forward to all year. We snap photos among the blooms, stop for treats at our favorite local bakery, and turn the outing into a memorable day trip.

The festival is officially underway, and while it’s one of Washington’s most popular spring attractions, it truly lives up to the hype – especially for families.

This year, four stunning tulip gardens are open to visitors, each offering a slightly different experience. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers, school-age kids, teens, or just want a peaceful walk among the flowers, there’s a garden that meets your needs. Below is a family-focused guide to help you choose where to spend your day – or you could visit all four!

Tip: All gardens feature gorgeous rows of tulips, and bloom status is updated regularly on the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival website. Tulips are expected to bloom early this year, but mid-April is usually a safe bet if you want peak color.

Roozengaarde

• Best for: Big wow moments and classic tulip photos
• Good to know: Dogs are not allowed here, so plan accordingly.
• Why families love it: Enormous displays, kid-friendly amenities.
• Address & Hours: 15867 Beaver Marsh Rd, Mount Vernon | Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat-Sun 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Tickets: $19 weekdays; $23 Friday-Sunday | Purchase

Roozengaarde is the largest – and arguably most iconic – of the four gardens, spanning more than 50 acres. The moment you enter, you’re greeted by a giant windmill that practically begs for a family photo.

Beyond the entrance, you’ll find a gift shop, a large food and drink stand (yes, coffee!), and charming playhouses younger kids will love to explore. Photo opportunities seem endless, from a swing surrounded by circular rows of tulips to massive fields bursting with pink, yellow, red, orange, and purple blooms. With more than one million bulbs planted across the property, the scale is breathtaking.

This is our go-to garden when we want to feel fully immersed in tulips, and when we want photos with jaw-dropping scale.

Tulip Valley

• Best for: Handson fun and low-stress visits with kids, the only u-pick farm in Skagit Valley
• Good to know: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome for a $5 fee.
• Why families love it: U-pick tulips, animals, Night Bloom, and a relaxed vibe.
• Address & Hours: 15245 Bradshaw Rd, Mount Vernon | Daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Night Bloom Saturdays in April, 8–10 p.m.
• Tickets: General admission: $16–$18 adults; $10–$12 children | U-pick tickets: Adult $33.63; Child $27.42 | Purchase

Tulip Valley earns my vote for the most interactive and family-friendly. It’s the only garden in Skagit Valley that offers a pick-your-own option, which means kids are actually encouraged to step into the rows and pick their own tulip bundles.

Because the rows are wider and designed for movement, parents can finally stop repeating, “Don’t run through the flowers!” Instead, kids are free to explore, touch, and engage with the garden. That freedom alone makes this stop worth it for families with energetic little ones.

Tulip Valley also features mini-Highland cows, which are a guaranteed hit. Be sure to stop for photos – and ask about the newest addition, baby Pumpkin.

Another standout feature is Night Bloom. On select Saturday evenings in April, the garden reopens after sunset, illuminated by tulips and a magical nighttime atmosphere, with music and lights. Seeing tulips glow in the dark is something you truly have to experience to believe. Did you know they glow?

Farmer Andrew also hosts daily tulip talks, offering kids (and curious adults) a behind-the-scenes look at how tulips are grown and at the farm’s history. He’s even the inspiration behind a children’s book, Farmer Andrew: The Colorblind Tulip Farmer, a sweet story about seeing the world – and tulips – a little differently. Written by Vanessa Harrington, the book is about Andrew and his best friend, Holly, a highland cow. You can follow along on their adventures through tulip fields and meet a few other animal locals along the way.

Tulip Town

• Best for: Tractor rides, photo ops, beer, and wine garden
• Good to know: This garden is dog-friendly.
• Why families love it: Trolley rides, great photos, food options for everyone.
• Address & Hours: 15002 Bradshaw Rd, Mount Vernon | Mon–Thurs 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri-Sun 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Tickets: Ages 12+: $20.48, Ages 6–11: $12.20, Military & seniors (65+): $17.37 | Purchase

Tulip Town offers a quaint, perfectly manicured five-acre garden with an array of blooms and more than 50 tulip varieties across their 30-acre farm.

One of Tulip Town’s biggest draws for families is the tractor trolley ride. If you have kids who love trucks, tractors, or anything with big wheels, this will likely be the highlight of your visit. Insider tip: the trolley is weather-dependent. On muddy days, it may not be able to move through the fields.

Aside from the trolley, the gardens are spectacular with lots of great photo opportunities. If you want beautiful backdrops for photos, Tulip Town is a great place to visit. They also have an indoor market and a café to satisfy your caffeine cravings. They offer quick bites, Dutch pastries, coffee and specialty drinks, and locally crafted beer and wine to enjoy during your visit. For parents planning a kidfree outing – or just a moment to relax – the beer and wine garden with sweeping views of the fields is highly recommended.

Rosalyn Garden

• Best for: A quieter, storybook-style experience
• Good to know: The garden is pet-friendly.
• Why families love it: A calm, charming atmosphere, creative displays, and gorgeous backdrops.
• Address & Hours: 16648 Jungquist Rd, Mount Vernon | Daily 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Tickets: $18.62–$19.65 adults; $16.55 children (ages 2–12) and seniors | Purchase

Rosalyn Garden feels like stepping straight into a fairytale. This seven-acre garden is smaller and more intimate, known for its whimsical designs, peaceful pond, and boutique atmosphere. You will be wowed by the meticulous detail the gardeners curated for visitors and astounded by the intricate artistry.

If you want a quieter experience, this garden is a lovely option. It’s also ideal for anyone hoping to avoid the busiest crowds while still enjoying beautiful blooms.

Tips for a Smooth Family Visit

• Buy tickets online to save money and avoid long lines at the gate.
• Visit on a weekday if possible. The crowds are noticeably lighter and not so overwhelming.
• Dress for the weather. Rainy days can leave fields soggy, so waterproof shoes are a must. I always pack extra socks and pants for my kids. They inevitably gravitate toward a muddy puddle.
• Don’t fear cloudy weather. Overcast days produce some of the best photos, so don’t let a little cloud cover deter you from visiting the fields.

Make a Day of It

If you’re turning your tulip trip into a full-day adventure, there’s plenty to explore nearby:

• Calico Cupboard is our family’s favorite stop for lunch and baked goods. Don’t miss the cinnamon rolls – they’re famously enormous. You can thank me later.
• La Conner offers charming shops, great food, and ice cream. Plan to visit La Conner Ice Cream Tower!
• Deception Pass State Park is a great option if you want to extend your trip. The views are stunning, and Lighthouse Point is one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the area.

A visit to the Skagit Valley tulips is a quintessential Pacific Northwest spring experience, promising to be an adventure your kids will remember long after the blooms begin to wilt.

Keep the Tulip Vibe Going

Planning your Skagit Valley tulip day? We’ve got a couple more guides to help you make the most of it:

• Want frame-worthy photos? Don’t miss our tips for taking great family photos at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival — from timing your visit to finding the best backdrops.
• Looking for something extra magical? Check out Tulip Valley Farms’ Night Bloom experience, where the fields light up after dark for a one-of-a-kind evening with kids.